Revealed Altruism - Experimental Economics Center - Georgia State

46 Pages·2007·0.37 MB·English

by  James Cox

Revealed Altruism

By James C. Cox, Daniel Friedman, and Vjollca Sadiraj

Forthcoming in Econometrica
REVEALED ALTRUISM
BY JAMES C. COX, DANIEL FRIEDMAN, AND VJOLLCA SADIRAJ
Abstract. This paper develops a nonparametric theory of preferences
over one(cid:146)s own and others(cid:146)monetary payo⁄s. We introduce (cid:147)more altruis-
tic than(cid:148)(MAT), a partial ordering over such preferences, and interpret
it with known parametric models. We also introduce and illustrate (cid:147)more
generous than(cid:148)(MGT), a partial ordering over opportunity sets. Several
recent studies focus on two player extensive form games of complete in-
formation in which the (cid:133)rst mover (FM) chooses a more or less generous
opportunity set for the second mover (SM). Here reciprocity can be for-
malized as the assertion that an MGT choice by the FM will elicit MAT
preferencesintheSM.Afurtherassertionisthatthee⁄ectonpreferencesis
stronger for acts of commission by FM than for acts of omission. We state
and prove propositions on the observable consequences of these assertions.
Finally, empirical support for the propositions is found in existing data
from Investment and Dictator games, the Carrot and Stick game, and the
Stackelberg duopoly game and in new data from Stackelberg mini-games.
Keywords: Neoclassical Preferences, Social Preferences, Convexity, Reci-
procity, Experiments.
1. Introduction
What are the contents of preferences? People surely care about their own
material well-being, e.g., as proxied by income. In some contexts people also
may care about others(cid:146)well-being. Abstract theory and common sense have
long recognized that possibility but until recently it has been neglected in
applied work. Evidence from the laboratory and (cid:133)eld (as surveyed in Fehr and
G(cid:228)chter (2000), for example) has begun to persuade economists to develop
speci(cid:133)c models of how and when a person(cid:146)s preferences depend on others(cid:146)
material payo⁄s (Sobel (2005)).
0Forhelpfulcomments,wethankJamesAndreoni,GeertDhaene,StevenGjerstad,Stephen
Leider, Joel Sobel, Stefan Traub, and Frans van Winden as well as participants in the
InternationalMeetingoftheEconomicScienceAssociation(ESA)2004,theNorthAmerican
Regional ESA Meeting 2004, and at Economics Department seminars at UCSC, Harvard
and University College London. The (cid:133)nal revision is much improved due to the suggestions
of three anonymous referees and Associate Editor David Levine. Financial support was
providedbytheNationalScienceFoundation(grantnumbersIIS-0630805andIIS-0527770).
1
2 BY JAMES C. COX, DANIEL FRIEDMAN, AND VJOLLCA SADIRAJ
Andreoni and Miller (2002) report (cid:147)dictator(cid:148)experiments in which a hu-
man subject decides on an allocation for himself and for some anonymous
other subject while facing a linear budget constraint. Their analysis con(cid:133)rms
consistency with the generalized axiom of revealed preference (GARP) for a
large majority of subjects. They conclude that altruism can be modeled using
neoclassical preference theory (Hicks (1939), Samuelson (1947)).
In this paper we take three further steps down the same path. First, we
analyze non-linear opportunity sets. Such sets allow a player to reveal more
about the tradeo⁄ between her own and another(cid:146)s income, e.g., whether her
indi⁄erence curves have positive or negative slope, and whether they are linear
or strictly convex. Second, we give another player an initial move that can
be more or less generous. This allows us to distinguish conditional altruism(cid:151)
positive and negative reciprocity(cid:151)from unconditional altruism. It also allows
us to clarify the observable consequences of convex preferences and of recip-
rocal preferences. Third, we distinguish active from passive initial moves; i.e.,
we distinguish among acts of omission, acts of commission, and absence of
opportunity to act, and examine their impacts on reciprocity.
Our goal is to develop an approach to reciprocity (cid:133)rmly grounded in neo-
classical preference and demand theory.1 By contrast, much of the existing
literature on social preferences either ignores reciprocity motives or grounds
them in psychological game theory. Our focus is on how players(cid:146)choices re-
spondtoobservableeventsandopportunities,ratherthantotheirbeliefsabout
other players(cid:146)intentions or types.
Section 2 begins by developing representations of preferences over own and
others(cid:146)income, and formalizes the idea that one preference ordering is (cid:147)more
altruistic than(cid:148)(MAT) another. It allows for the possibility of negative re-
gard for the other(cid:146)s income; in this case MAT really means (cid:147)less malevolent
than.(cid:148)Special cases include the main parametric models of other-regarding
preferences that have appeared in the literature.
Section 3 introduces opportunities and formalizes the idea that one oppor-
tunity set can be more generous than (MGT) another. It explains that MGT
is a partial ordering over standard budget sets and is a complete ordering over
opportunity sets in several two player games, including the well-known Invest-
ment, Dictator, and Stackelberg duopoly games. An appendix demonstrates
1Cox, Friedman and Gjerstad (2007) takes a similar perspective, but it imposes a tight
parametric structure (CES) on preferences and reports structural estimates from various
existing data sets. Here we seek general results attributable to general properties such as
convexity and reciprocity, and we test the results directly on new as well as existing data.
REVEALED ALTRUISM 3
MGT orderings of opportunity sets for several other games in the literature
on social preferences.
Section4formalizesreciprocity. AxiomRassertsthatmoregenerouschoices
by a (cid:133)rst mover induce more altruistic preferences in a second mover. An in-
terpretation(advocatedinCox, Friedman, andGjerstad(2007))isthatprefer-
ences are emotional state-dependent, and the (cid:133)rst mover(cid:146)s generosity induces
a more benevolent (or less malevolent) emotional state in the second mover.
Axiom S asserts that the reciprocity e⁄ect is stronger following an act of com-
mission(upsettingthestatus-quo)thanfollowinganactofomission(upholding
the status-quo), and that the e⁄ect is weaker when the (cid:133)rst mover is unable
to alter the status quo.
Section5presentsthreegeneraltheoreticalpropositionsontheconsequences
ofconvexpreferences. Amongotherthings,thesepropositionsextendstandard
results on revealed preference theory and showhoweasy it is in empirical work
to con(cid:135)ate the separate e⁄ects of convexity and reciprocity.
Sections 6 - 9 bring revealed altruism theory to four data sets. Proposition
4 derives testable predictions for Investment and Dictator games. Together,
these two games provide diagnostic data for both Axiom R and Axiom S.
Propositions 5 and 6 derive testable predictions for Carrot and Stick games
and for Stackelberg duopoly games. The duopoly games are especially useful
because the Follower(cid:146)s opportunity sets are MGT-ordered and have a para-
bolic shape that enables the Follower to reveal a wide range of positive and
negativetradeo⁄sbetweenhisownincomeandLeader(cid:146)sincome. Proposition7
obtains predictions for a new variant game, called the Stackelberg mini-game,
in which the Leader has only two alternative output choices, one of which is
clearly more generous than the other. This game provides diagnostic data for
discriminating between the e⁄ects of convexity and reciprocity.
Within the limitations of the data, the test results are consistent with pre-
dictions. Following a concluding discussion, Appendix A collects all formal
proofs and other mathematical details. Instructions to subjects in the Stack-
elberg mini-game appear in Appendix B.
2. Preferences
Let Y = (Y ;Y ;:::;Y ) RN represent the payo⁄ vector in a game that
1 2 N 2 +
pays each of N 2 players a non-negative income. Admissible preferences
(cid:21)
for each player i are smooth and convex orderings on the positive orthant
N that are strictly increasing in own income Y . The set of all admissible
<+ i
4 BY JAMES C. COX, DANIEL FRIEDMAN, AND VJOLLCA SADIRAJ
preferences is denoted P. Any particular preference P can be represented
P 2
by a smooth utility function u : N with positive ith partial derivative
<+ ! <
@u=@Y = u > 0: The other (cid:133)rst partial derivatives are zero for standard
i Yi
sel(cid:133)sh preferences, but we allow for the possibility that they are positive in
some regions (where the agent is (cid:147)benevolent(cid:148)) and negative in others (where
she is (cid:147)malevolent(cid:148)).
We shall focus on two-player extensive form games of complete information,
and to streamline notation we shall denote own ((cid:147)my(cid:148)) income by Y = m and
i
the other player(cid:146)s ((cid:147)your(cid:148)) income by Y = y. Thus preferences are de(cid:133)ned
i
(cid:0)
on the positive quadrant 2 = (m;y) : m;y 0 : The marginal rate of
<+ f (cid:21) g
substitution MRS(m;y) = u =u is not well de(cid:133)ned at points where the agent
m y
is sel(cid:133)sh; it diverges to + and back from when we pass from slight
1 (cid:0)1
benevolence to slight malevolence. Therefore it is convenient to work with
willingness to pay, WTP= 1=MRS, the amount of own income the agent is
willing to give up in order to increase the other agent(cid:146)s income by a unit; it
moves from slightly positive through zero to slightly negative when the agent
goes from slight benevolence to slight malevolence. Note that WTP= u =u
y m
is intrinsic, independent of the particular utility function u chosen to represent
the given preferences.
What sort of factors might a⁄ect w =WTP? Of course, for admissible pref-
erences the sign of w is the same as the sign of the partial derivative u :
y
Convexity tells us more: w increases as one moves southward along an indif-
ference curve. That is, my benevolence increases (or malevolence decreases)
as your income decreases along an indi⁄erence curve. This principle is quite
intuitive, andsometimesitisusefultostrengthenitasfollows. Wesaythatad-
missible preferences have the increasing benevolence (IB) property if w 0.
m
(cid:21)
Occasionally we refer to the related property w 0. Appendix A.1 shows
y
(cid:20)
how convexity, increasing benevolence, and homotheticity are related to each
other and to the slope and curvature of indi⁄erence curves.
We are now prepared to formalize the idea that one preference ordering
on 2 is more altruistic than another. Two di⁄erent preference orderings
<+
; P over income allocation vectors might represent the preferences of
A B 2
two di⁄erent players, or might represent the preferences of the same player in
two di⁄erent situations.
De(cid:133)nition 1. For a given domain D 2 we say that MAT on D if
(cid:26) <+ A B
WTP (m;y) WTP (m;y); for all (m;y) D.
A (cid:21) B 2
REVEALED ALTRUISM 5
The idea is straightforward. Like the single crossing property in a di⁄erent
context, MAT induces a partial ordering on preferences over own and others(cid:146)
income. In the benevolence case, MAT means that has shallower
A B A
indi⁄erence curves than in (m;y) space, so indicates a willingness to pay
B A
more m for a unit increase in y than does . In the malevolence case, WTP is
B
less negativefor , soitindicates alesserwillingnesstopayforaunitdecrease
A
in y.
Appendix A.2 veri(cid:133)es that MAT is a partial ordering on P. When no
particular domain D is indicated, the MAT ordering is understood to refer to
the entire positive orthant D= 2.
<+
Four examples illustrate how MAT is incorporated into existing parametric
models.
Example 2.1. Linear Inequality-averse Preferences (for N = 2 only; Fehr
and Schmidt (1999)). Let preferences = ; be represented by u (m;y) =
J A B J
(1+(cid:18) )m (cid:18) y; where
J (cid:0) J
(cid:18) = (cid:11) ; if m < y
J J
= (cid:12) ; if m y;
(cid:0) J (cid:21)
with (cid:12) (cid:11) and 0 < (cid:12) < 1. Straightforwardly, MAT if and only if
J (cid:20) J J A B
(cid:18) (cid:18) .
A (cid:20) B
Example2.2. NonlinearInequality-aversePreferences(forN = 2;Boltonand
Ockenfels (2000)). Let preferences = ; be represented by u (m;y) =
J A B J
(cid:23) (m;(cid:27)); where
J
(cid:27) = m=(m+y); if m+y > 0
= 1=2; if m+y = 0:
It can be easily veri(cid:133)ed that MAT if and only if (cid:23) =(cid:23) (cid:23) =(cid:23) .
1 2 1 2
A B A A (cid:20) B B
Example 2.3. Quasi-maximin Preferences (for N = 2; Charness and Rabin
(2002)). Let preferences = ; be represented by
J A B
u (m;y) = m+(cid:13) (1 (cid:14) )y; if m < y
J J (cid:0) J
= (1 (cid:14) (cid:13) )m+(cid:13) y; if m y;
(cid:0) J J J (cid:21)
and (cid:13) [0;1], (cid:14) (0;1). It is straightforward (although a bit tedious) to
J 2 J 2
verify that MAT if and only if
A B
1 1 (cid:14)
(cid:13) (cid:13) max ; (cid:0) B :
A (cid:21) B 1+((cid:14) (cid:14) )(cid:13) 1 (cid:14)
(cid:26) A (cid:0) B B (cid:0) A(cid:27)
6 BY JAMES C. COX, DANIEL FRIEDMAN, AND VJOLLCA SADIRAJ
Example 2.4. Egocentric Altruism (CES) Preferences (Cox and Sadiraj
(2007)). Let preferences = ; be represented by
J A B
1
u (m;y) = (m(cid:11) +(cid:18) y(cid:11)); if (cid:11) ( ;1)(cid:31) 0
J (cid:11) J 2 (cid:0)1 f g
= my(cid:18) ; if (cid:11) = 0:
J
If 0 < (cid:18) (cid:18) then MAT . Veri(cid:133)cation is straightforward: WTP =
B (cid:20) A A B J
(cid:18) (m=y)1 (cid:11), = ; imply WPT =WTP = (cid:18) =(cid:18) 1: (cid:147)Egocentricity(cid:148)
(cid:0)
J J A B A B A B (cid:21)
means that u (x+(cid:15);x (cid:15)) > u (x (cid:15);x+(cid:15)) for any (cid:15) (0;x) which implies
J (cid:0) J (cid:0) 2
WTP(m;m) 1:
(cid:20)
Much of the theoretical literature on social preferences relies on special as-
sumptions that may appear to be departures from neoclassical preference the-
ory (Hicks (1939), Samuelson (1947)). The preceding examples help clarify
the issues. All four are examples of convex preferences, and (except for the
nonlinear inequality aversion model) they are also homothetic. The inequality
aversion models incorporate a very speci(cid:133)c inconsistency with the neoclassical
assumption of positive monotonicity: my marginal utility for your income re-
verses sign on the 45 degree line. A preference for e¢ ciency (i.e., for a larger
income sum) is consistent with a limiting case of the quasi-maximin model,
or with admissible preferences with WTP = 1. We shall now see that for
more general preferences, the e¢ ciency of choices depends on the shape of the
opportunity set.
3. Opportunities
De(cid:133)neanopportunitysetF (orsynonymously,afeasiblesetorbudgetset)asa
convex compact subset of 2: It is convenient and harmless (given preferences
<+
monotone in own income m) to assume free disposal for own income, i.e., if
(m;y) F then (am;y) F for all a [0;1]. Thus an opportunity set F is
2 2 2
the convex hull of two lines: (a) its projection Y = y 0 : m 0 s:t:
F
f (cid:21) 9 (cid:21)
(m;y) F on the y-axis, and (b) its Eastern boundary @ F = (m;y) F :
E
2 g f 2
x > m;(x;y) = F .
8 2 g
Since F is convex, each boundary point has a supporting hyperplane (i.e.,
tangent line) de(cid:133)ned by an inward-pointing normal vector, and F is contained
in its closed positive halfspace; see for example Rockafellar (1970, p. 100).
At some boundary points (informally called corners or kinks) the supporting
hyperplane is not unique; examples will be noted later. At the other (regular)
boundary points there is a smooth function f whose zero isoquant de(cid:133)nes the
boundary locally. We often need to work near vertical tangents, so rather
REVEALED ALTRUISM 7
than the usual marginal rate of transformation (MRT) we use the need to pay,
NTP(m;y) = 1=MRT(m;y) = f =f evaluated at a regular point (m;y)
y m
2
@ F. Again NTP is intrinsic, independent of the choice f used to represent
E
the boundary segment.
Weseekanobjectivede(cid:133)nitionofoneopportunitysetGbeingmoregenerous
tomethananotheropportunitysetF. Thereisanobviousnecessarycondition:
that G allows me to achieve higher income than does F. Since my preferences
are monotone in own income, I clearly bene(cid:133)t when you allow me to increase
it. Forsomepurposesitishelpfultoimposeasecondcondition, thatyoudon(cid:146)t
increase your own potential income far more than mine. If you do, I might
regard your move as self-serving and not especially generous.
These intuitions are captured in conditions (a) and (b) below, using the
following notation. Let y = supY denote your maximum feasible income
F(cid:3) F
and let m = sup m : y 0 s:t: (m;y) F denote my maximum feasible
(cid:3)F f 9 (cid:21) 2 g
income in an opportunity set F.
De(cid:133)nition 2. Opportunity set G 2 is more generous than opportunity
(cid:26) <+
set F 2 if (a) m m 0 and (b) m m y y : In this case we
(cid:26) <+ (cid:3)G(cid:0) (cid:3)F (cid:21) (cid:3)G(cid:0) (cid:3)F (cid:21) G(cid:3) (cid:0) F(cid:3)
write G MGT F.
MGT is a partial ordering over opportunity sets, as noted in Appendix
A.3. Condition (a) seems compelling because it springs directly from the most
basic intuitions about generosity, but one can imagine plausible variants on
condition (b). To understand its role, consider an alternative de(cid:133)nition of
MGT, call it MGT Light, that includes only condition (a). It turns out
that MGT Light has the same implications as MGT for ten of the twelve
prominent examples of opportunity sets from the social preferences literature
discussed in this section, section 9 and Appendix A.5. We begin with a very
prominent example where condition (b) does matter.
Example 3.1. Standard budget set. Let F = (m;y) 2 : m+py I
2 <+ (cid:20)
for given p;I > 0. Then the Eastern boundary @ F is the budget line
(cid:8) E (cid:9)
(m;y) 2 : m+py = I , as shown by the solid line in Figure 1. The NTP
2 <+
is p along @ F. Clearly m = I and y = I=p. To illustrate the MGT or-
(cid:8) E (cid:9)(cid:3)F F(cid:3)
dering, let F be determined by I and p and G by I and p : Part a of the
F F G G
de(cid:133)nition is simply I I . But part b requires I I I =p I =p :
G F G F G G F F
(cid:21) (cid:0) (cid:21) (cid:0)
For example, if I = 1:1I while p = p =100 so y = 110y , as shown by the
G F G F G(cid:3) F(cid:3)
dashed line in Figure 1, then you have not clearly revealed generosity towards
me by choosing G over F, since you are serving your own material interests far
8 BY JAMES C. COX, DANIEL FRIEDMAN, AND VJOLLCA SADIRAJ
more than mine. Your choice would more clearly reveal generosity if G (and
F) were also consistent with part b.
Example 3.2. Investment game (Berg, Dickhaut, and McCabe (1995)). In
this two player sequential move game, the First Mover (FM) and the Second
Mover (SM) each have an initial endowment of I 1. The FM sends an
(cid:21)
amount s [0;I] to SM, who receives ks. Then the SM returns an amount
2
r [0;ks]totheFM,resultinginpayo⁄sm = I+ks r forSMandy = I s+r
2 (cid:0) (cid:0)
for FM. The FM(cid:146)s choice of s selects the SM(cid:146)s opportunity set F with Eastern
s
boundary (m;y) 2 : m+y = 2I +(k 1)s;m [I;I +ks] withNTP=
2 <+ (cid:0) 2
1. Figure 2 shows F fors = 3 and9 whenI = 10 andk = 3. Inthe (cid:133)gure, one
(cid:8) s (cid:9)
sees that (a) m = 37 > 19 = m and (b) y y = 28 16 = 12 < 18 =
(cid:3)F9 (cid:3)F3 F(cid:3)9 (cid:0) F(cid:3)3 (cid:0)
37 19 = m m , so F MGT F . More generally, it is straightforward
(cid:0) (cid:3)F9 (cid:0) (cid:3)F3 9 3
to check that s > s [0;I] implies for k 2 that F MGT F , i.e., sending
0 s s
2 (cid:21) 0
a larger amount is indeed more generous.
Example 3.3. Carrot and/or Stick Games (Andreoni, Harbaugh, and Vester-
lund (2003)). In each of the games, the FM has an initial endowment of
240 and the SM has an initial endowment of 0. The FM sends an amount
s [40;240] to SM, who receives s. The SM then returns an amount r which
2
is multiplied by 5 for the FM, resulting in payo⁄s m = s r for SM and
(cid:0) j j
y = 240 s+5r for FM.
(cid:0)
The games di⁄er only on the sign restrictions placed on r. In the Stick
game, theSMcanpunishtheFMatapersonalcostby(cid:147)returning(cid:148)nonpositive
amounts r that do not make either person(cid:146)s payo⁄negative. The FM(cid:146)s choice
s induces an MGT-ordering on the SM opportunity sets F . Part a of the
s
de(cid:133)nition is satis(cid:133)ed because m = s and part b is satis(cid:133)ed because y =
(cid:3)Fs F(cid:3)s
240(cid:0)s. For F = Fs and G = Fs0 with s < s0, we have yG(cid:3) (cid:0)yF(cid:3) = (cid:0)(s0 (cid:0)s) <
0 < s0 (cid:0)s = m(cid:3)G (cid:0)m(cid:3)F:
In the Carrot game, the SM(cid:146)s choice must be non-negative, r [0;s]. Here
2
the FM(cid:146)s choice s does not induce an MGT-ordering on the SM opportunity
sets F . Of course, m = s still ensures that part a of MGT is satis(cid:133)ed and
s (cid:3)Fs
thus the opportunity sets are MGT Light ordered. However, y = 240 s+
F(cid:3)s (cid:0)
5s = 240 + 4s. For F = Fs and G = Fs0 with s < s0, we have yG(cid:3) (cid:0) yF(cid:3) =
4(s0 (cid:0)s) > s0 (cid:0)s = m(cid:3)G (cid:0)m(cid:3)F, contradicting part b of the MGT de(cid:133)nition.
The Carrot-Stick game drops the sign restrictions on the SM(cid:146)s choice: here
thepositiveornegativeamountsreturnedr cannotmakeeitherperson(cid:146)spayo⁄
REVEALED ALTRUISM 9
negative. As in the Carrot game, the SM opportunity sets are not MGT-
ordered because part b is not satis(cid:133)ed (though they are ordered by MGT
Light).
Example 3.4. Stackelberg duopoly game (e.g., Varian (1992, p. 295-298)).
Consideraduopolywithzero(cid:133)xedcost, constantandequalmarginalcost, and
nontrivial linear demand. Without further loss of generality one can normalize
so that the pro(cid:133)t margin (price minus marginal cost) is M = T q q ,
L F
(cid:0) (cid:0)
where q [0;T] is the Leader(cid:146)s output choice and q [0;T q ] is the
L F L
2 2 (cid:0)
Follower(cid:146)s output to be chosen. Thus payo⁄s are m = Mq and y = Mq :
F L
The Follower(cid:146)s opportunity set F(q ) has as its Eastern boundary a parabolic
L
arc opening towards the y-axis, as shown in Figure 3 for T = 24 and qL = 6;8
and11. Unliketheearlierexamples, theNTPvariessmoothlyfromnegativeto
positivevaluesasonemovesnorthwardalongtheboundary. Theseopportunity
sets are MGT ordered by the Leader(cid:146)s output choice; see Section A.4 of the
Appendix for a veri(cid:133)cation and for explicit formulas for NTP.
These four examples are far from exhaustive. Section A.5 of the Appen-
dix demonstrates natural MGT orderings of opportunity sets in many games
prominent in the social preferences literature, including the Ultimatum game
(G(cid:252)th, Schmittberger, and Schwarze (1982), the Ultimatum mini-game (Gale,
Binmore, and Samuelson (1995); see also Falk, Fehr, and Fischbacher (2003)),
the Sequential public goods game with two players (Varian (1994)), the Gift
exchange labor market (Fehr, Kirchsteiger, and Riedl (1993)), the Moonlight-
ing game (Abbink, Irlenbusch, and Renner (2000)), the Power to Take game
(Bosman and van Winden (2002)), and the Ring test (Liebrand (1984); see
also Sonnemans, van Dijk and van Winden (2005)).
4. Reciprocity
Reciprocity is key to our analysis. We examine it from the perspective of
neoclassical preference theory, stressing observables. Thus positive reciprocity
reveals itself via preferences for altruistic actions that bene(cid:133)t someone else, at
one(cid:146)s own material cost, because that person(cid:146)s behavior was generous. Simi-
larly, negative reciprocity reveals itself via preferences for actions that harm
someone else, at one(cid:146)s own material cost, because that person(cid:146)s behavior was
harmful to oneself. Our reciprocity axiom states that more generous choices
by one player induce more altruistic preferences in a second player; by the
same token, less generous choices by one induce less altruistic preferences in
the other.